Merck & Co., Inc. Competitors

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, dividends, risk and valuation.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Merck & Co., Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, as provided by MarketBeat.

Merck & Co., Inc. presently has a consensus price target of $95.3571, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. Johnson & Johnson has a consensus price target of $166.6923, suggesting a potential upside of 1.92%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Johnson & Johnson.

Profitability

This table compares Merck & Co., Inc. and Johnson & Johnson's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

72.9% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 67.3% of Johnson & Johnson shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Johnson & Johnson shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Johnson & Johnson pays an annual dividend of $4.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 50.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Johnson & Johnson pays out 46.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Merck & Co., Inc. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Johnson & Johnson has increased its dividend for 59 consecutive years.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Merck & Co., Inc. and Johnson & Johnson's revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Johnson & Johnson has higher revenue and earnings than Merck & Co., Inc.. Merck & Co., Inc. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Johnson & Johnson, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility & Risk

Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.43, meaning that its stock price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Johnson & Johnson has a beta of 0.7, meaning that its stock price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Johnson & Johnson on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Pfizer and Merck & Co., Inc., as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Pfizer currently has a consensus price target of $40.0714, suggesting a potential upside of 9.63%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $95.3571, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Pfizer.

Profitability

This table compares Pfizer and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

67.4% of Pfizer shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.9% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Pfizer shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Pfizer pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.2%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Pfizer pays out 51.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 50.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Pfizer has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Pfizer and Merck & Co., Inc.'s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Pfizer has higher revenue and earnings than Merck & Co., Inc.. Pfizer is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Merck & Co., Inc., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Risk and Volatility

Pfizer has a beta of 0.7, suggesting that its share price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.43, suggesting that its share price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Pfizer on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

Eli Lilly and (NYSE:LLY) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Eli Lilly and and Merck & Co., Inc., as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Eli Lilly and currently has a consensus price target of $179.5714, suggesting a potential downside of 12.89%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $95.3571, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Eli Lilly and.

Profitability

This table compares Eli Lilly and and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

75.6% of Eli Lilly and shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.9% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Eli Lilly and shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Eli Lilly and pays an annual dividend of $2.96 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Eli Lilly and pays out 49.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 50.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Eli Lilly and has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Eli Lilly and and Merck & Co., Inc.'s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than Eli Lilly and. Merck & Co., Inc. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Eli Lilly and, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Risk and Volatility

Eli Lilly and has a beta of 0.37, suggesting that its share price is 63% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.43, suggesting that its share price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Eli Lilly and on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for AbbVie and Merck & Co., Inc., as provided by MarketBeat.com.

AbbVie currently has a consensus price target of $112.50, suggesting a potential upside of 1.48%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $95.3571, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than AbbVie.

Profitability

This table compares AbbVie and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

67.5% of AbbVie shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.9% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of AbbVie shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

AbbVie pays an annual dividend of $5.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. AbbVie pays out 58.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 50.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. AbbVie has raised its dividend for 49 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. AbbVie is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares AbbVie and Merck & Co., Inc.'s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than AbbVie. AbbVie is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Merck & Co., Inc., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Risk and Volatility

AbbVie has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its share price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.43, suggesting that its share price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats AbbVie on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Dividends

Bristol-Myers Squibb pays an annual dividend of $1.96 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Bristol-Myers Squibb pays out 41.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 50.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Bristol-Myers Squibb has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., Inc., as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Bristol-Myers Squibb currently has a consensus price target of $74.2667, suggesting a potential upside of 15.04%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $95.3571, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Profitability

This table compares Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

72.4% of Bristol-Myers Squibb shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.9% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Bristol-Myers Squibb shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., Inc.'s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than Bristol-Myers Squibb. Bristol-Myers Squibb is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Merck & Co., Inc., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility and Risk

Bristol-Myers Squibb has a beta of 0.67, indicating that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.43, indicating that its stock price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Bristol-Myers Squibb on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Volatility and Risk

Zoetis has a beta of 0.71, indicating that its stock price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.43, indicating that its stock price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Zoetis and Merck & Co., Inc., as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Zoetis currently has a consensus price target of $161.1429, suggesting a potential downside of 1.34%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $95.3571, suggesting a potential upside of 17.75%. Given Merck & Co., Inc.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Merck & Co., Inc. is more favorable than Zoetis.

Profitability

This table compares Zoetis and Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Zoetis and Merck & Co., Inc.'s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than Zoetis. Merck & Co., Inc. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Zoetis, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Zoetis pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Zoetis pays out 27.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 50.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Zoetis has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

92.5% of Zoetis shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.9% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Zoetis shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Zoetis on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.